When San Benito High School in Hollister, CA, suddenly decided to enforce its long-ignored sexist dress code, students rallied together to voice their discontent. Surprisingly, it wasn’t just the girls who protested. Male students joined in solidarity by donning the very clothing that had gotten their female classmates in trouble: off-the-shoulder shirts.
As reported in a piece on Yahoo, students were taken aback on the first day of the school year when they witnessed numerous female classmates being reprimanded for wearing off-the-shoulder tops. The absurdity of punishing students for a mere glimpse of bare shoulder was palpable, and many felt the need to take action. “The dress code policy hasn’t been an issue the past two years I have been here,” remarked one anonymous student to Yahoo Style.
On that initial day back, around 50 students faced discipline for dress code violations, leading to a wave of male students wearing off-the-shoulder shirts as a form of protest. The hypocrisy of the dress code became evident, especially since female students had previously worn off-the-shoulder outfits in their school-sanctioned senior portraits. “It’s a major trend in fashion right now,” one female student noted. “It’s not harming anyone physically… I think it’s ridiculous how we have to fight against [the administration] to wear a shirt that is not harming anyone.”
Despite the dress code having little impact on them, the boys stepped up to defend their classmates. “My guy friends think it’s ridiculous too,” another student explained. Andrei Thompson, one of the protesting male students, shared his thoughts with the Huffington Post: “I felt bold and subversive, as I actually, physically oppressed something that I saw as wrong. But this story isn’t about me, it is about those who are actually affected by dress codes.”
Andrei’s awareness of the issue at hand is commendable; the focus should be on the unfair targeting of women by a system that often blames them for the behaviors of men. Feminism advocates for equality, a principle that should resonate with everyone, regardless of gender. Remarkably, the boys at San Benito High seem to grasp this notion better than many adults, showing that awareness and empathy can flourish even in a school setting.
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In summary, the boys at San Benito High School have shown great courage and solidarity in standing up against a sexist dress code. Their actions not only highlight the importance of equality but also encourage a broader conversation about societal expectations and the need for change.